INLAND COLLEGES: UCR, CBU set to clash

Beginning in the 2013-14 season, UC Riverside and California Baptist University will compete against each other in 11 sports with the winner earning the Riverside Mission Cup.

UCR athletic director Brian Wickstrom said the idea was hatched soon after he was hired and he and CBU athletic director Micah Parker discussed it a few times before finally agreeing.

âThis is great for the community,â said Wickstrom, adding that the games should draw fans to UCR and Highlander fans over to CBU to watch their teams play.

The teams will compete in menâs and womenâs golf, menâs and womenâs cross country, menâs and womenâs soccer, menâs and womenâs basketball, baseball, softball and womenâs volleyball. Because of NCAA rules and RPI issues with Division I teams playing against Division II opponents, the games will be considered exhibitions and wonât count against either teamâs record. The schools will keep track of results with winners earning 10 points. The school with the most points at the end of the 2013-2014 year will earn a yet-to-be designed Riverside Mission Cup.

The baseball teams will play their exhibition in the fall.

âAnytime we get to compete against UC Riverside itâs special to the players,â said CBU baseball coach Gary Adcock, who was a Highlanders assistant in 1996. âItâs a chance for our guys to compete against some of the best players in the area. Thatâs always exciting.â

Smith to throw out first pitch for SBVC

Steve Smith, a former San Bernardino Valley baseball head coach and Hall of Famer, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday to open the new season. The Wolverines host LA Mission at 2 p.m.

Smith, who was named to the SBVC Hall of Fame in the fall of 2010, was hired in 1969 and coached 14 years and collected 314 wins with a .643 winning percentage. He led his team to seven postseason appearances, including a state final four in 1972.

Spring rankings update

Spring sports are getting under way which means preseason rankings.

The UCR baseball team was picked seventh in the Big West preseason poll with Cal State Fullerton earning the top spot to defend its title. UC Irvine and Long Beach State were picked second and third, respectively.

The Highlanders finished eighth last season at 9-15, and were 22-32 overall.

The Cal Baptist softball team was picked as the favorite to win the PacWest title for a second consecutive season. The Lancers received six of 12 first-place votes and had 133 points, topping Dixie State and Grand Canyon, who each totaled 127 points.

CBU finished 26-4 to win the PacWest last season in the schoolâs inaugural season in the conference.

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